University tuition fees in Wales are going up in line with England. It's the second time this year that a rise in fees to study at Welsh universities has been announced.
The Welsh government, which sets fees for Welsh universities, said the £9,250 cap, raised in February from £9,000, will now be hiked to £9,535 for full time undergraduate degrees from the start of the 2025-26 academic year. It said the rise would "help ensure" Welsh universities "remain viable and competitive".
The news comes as institutions face financial crisis, with 40% of English universities expecting to slump into a deficit this year and universities in Wales warning of the dire effects of financial pressures, amid job cuts and recruitment freezes. You can see where Welsh universities stand in UK rankings here
Last month the UK education secretary announced university tuition fees in England would rise to £9,535. University tuition fees in Wales had remained frozen at £9,000 for some years since earlier this year with Wales’ universities currently facing financial deficits, collectively spiralling north of £100m. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
At the same time as the tuition fee cap hike, the Welsh Government also today announced a 1.6% increase to student maintenance support for eligible part-time and full-time undergraduate students from Wales, both new and continuing students, for the 2025/26 academic year. The maximum amount of support for postgraduate masters and postgraduate doctoral study will also increase by 1.6%. Grants for those with dependants and those with a disability will also increase by 1.6%.
The Welsh Government said in a statement: "In recognition of the increased costs of higher education provision and to provide additional funding to Welsh Universities and to help ensure they remain viable and competitive, the cap on the maximum amount undergraduate students choosing to study in Wales can be charged will increase to £9,535 from £9,250, in line with England.
"This decision will not affect the amount of money available to students whilst they study. The tuition fee loan will also increase up to £9,535. The partial write-off of student debt up to £1,500 when a student begins repaying their loans will continue. This is unique to Welsh students, no matter where they study."
Announcing the rise in fees, The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, said: “Living costs should not be a barrier to studying at university. I am proud that Wales has always offered our students the most generous financial support in the UK.
"Welsh Government remains committed to supporting people to invest in their future and ensure that everyone, no matter their background, can access and participate in higher education so we can raise skills for the future of the Welsh economy. The decision to raise tuition fees was difficult but necessary to ensure Welsh higher education institutions remain competitive with those in other parts of the UK.
"I want to be clear that this small increase in fees should not dissuade anyone from Wales considering applying for university next year. An increase in fees will not increase the upfront cost of university for students. Nor will it increase their monthly repayments as graduates.”
The increased tuition fee cap will apply to any eligible student studying in Wales, not just Welsh students. The amount of tuition fees charged is a matter for each provider of higher education. The Welsh Government does not set fees, only the maximum which may be charged - but universities have so far never charged less than that cap.
The NUS Wales criticised the rise saying students were facing enough hardship already: "we remain deeply concerned about the rising burden of student debt. This marks the second fee cap increase for students in Wales in 2024, a spokesperson said.
A recent November 2024 survey by NUS Cymru found that 32% of students have less than £100 per month after paying their monthly housing costs with 1 in 10 students using foodbanks. 32% of students have gone without heating to cut back costs, and 19% have missed an in-person class due not being able to afford transport.
NUS Cymru President, Deio Owen, said: “I’m glad to see an increase in student maintenance, but it falls short of addressing the needs of many learners today. 1 in 10 of our students are using foodbanks, and almost 1 in 5 have missed class as they can’t afford transport. By increasing fees, the government is effectively asking students to have a whip round to keep campuses going. Making students pay an extra £5 a week to keep the lights on is not sustainable and we urgently need a review of how Higher Education is funded in Wales.
“We urgently need fairer, future-proof funding for students and universities that ensures education is accessible for all and not a burden of debt for some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
Universities Wales welcomed the move saying: "Universities Wales welcomes this announcement of additional support, which comes at a critical time for Welsh universities. Our universities play a fundamental role in communities across Wales: generating jobs, transforming lives, supporting public services, and delivering world-leading research and innovation.
‘The additional in-year investment of £10m in higher education, alongside the alignment of fees in Wales with elsewhere in the UK, will provide much needed investment to our universities. We will continue to work with Welsh Government and Medr (the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research) to articulate the scale of the challenges that face our universities along with identifying long-term solutions to ensure the sustainability of our universities.’
How much risk are Welsh universities in?
Welsh universities don’t have significant liquid reserves (available cash), but there is no current suggestion that any are facing imminent insolvency. Cardiff University, the largest in Wales, recently closed its voluntary redundancy scheme as part of measures to address a £30m shortfall.
Bangor University last month said it was facing a £9m deficit on a 7% fall in UK undergraduates compared to last year and a calamitous 50% drop in postgraduate international students. Aberystwyth University, which announced a £15m deficit last spring, has instigated two voluntary redundancy rounds, with the latest closing in October.
Swansea University has confirmed that since launching a voluntary redundancy round earlier this year, which remains open, nearly 240 staff members have left the institution. Cardiff Metropolitan University also has a voluntary redundancy scheme.
Welsh universities, like counterparts around the UK, have focused on chasing lucrative international students, who pay higher fees. But competing in the global market is tough and became even tougher after the last Government stopped visa rights for family members of postgraduate students to come to the UK with them - a move the new Labour government says it has no plans to reverse.
The full maintenace support for full time undergraduates from Wales*
The Welsh Government offers the most generous student living costs support for full-time undergraduates in the UK, with the highest levels of non-repayable grant support provided to those most in need. Welsh students on average repay less than their English counterparts.
Maintenance support for full-time undergraduates 2025/26 (£) | ||
| | Wales | England* |
Living with parents | 10,480 | 8,877 |
Living away from parental home, studying in London | 15,415 | 13,762 |
Studying elsewhere | 12,345 | 10,544 |
Studying overseas | 12,345 | 12,076 |
Source: Welsh Government and UK Government regulations. | ||
* The rates for England are those available to students with a household income of less than £25,000; the value of support is reduced at incomes above this. Most students will receive less than this maximum amount. |
* Source, Welsh Government
The Minister has also announced an additional £20 million for Medr to support further and higher education. This includes £10m to support teaching and learning, research, widening access and change management in universities, and £10 million will be given to further education colleges to cover costs of increased demand and learner support. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.
